Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act
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This law requires the Transportation Security Administration to issue guidance ensuring hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and related infant liquids and cooling accessories when they undergo extra security screening at airports.
It also directs the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General to audit compliance with those hygiene requirements and report to Congress, addressing longstanding complaints from parents about contamination and mishandling during screening.
What this law does
What it does
The law amends the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to require the TSA Administrator, within 90 days of enactment and every five years thereafter as needed, to issue or update guidance minimizing contamination risk for breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and their cooling accessories (ice packs, freezer packs, gel packs) when subject to re-screening or additional screening. The guidance must be developed with nationally recognized maternal health organizations, set hygienic standards, and apply to both TSA screening personnel and private security screening companies. The law also requires the DHS Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements within one year and report to House Homeland Security and Senate Commerce committees, including data on screening technologies like bottled liquid scanners and rates of items being denied entry to secure areas.
Key provisions
- 1Requires TSA to issue or update guidance within 90 days of enactment, and every five years thereafter if needed, to minimize contamination risk during screening of breast milk, formula, and related items.
- 2Requires the guidance be developed in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations and establish hygienic standards.
- 3Applies the hygienic screening standards to TSA screening personnel and private security company personnel conducting screening under federal authority.
- 4Requires the DHS Inspector General to audit compliance with the hygienic handling requirements within one year of enactment and report to Congress.
- 5Requires the audit to include information on screening technologies, such as bottled liquid scanners, and rates at which covered items are denied entry into secure airport areas.
Who is affected
Traveling parents and caregivers carrying breast milk, baby formula, or infant water and juice through airport security; TSA screening personnel; private security company employees conducting screening under federal authority; and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's office.
Why it matters
Parents traveling with infants have long reported inconsistent or unhygienic handling of breast milk and formula during additional security screening. The law's guidance requirement aims to standardize hygienic practices nationwide, while the required audit creates accountability by forcing public reporting on compliance and screening technology effectiveness.
What changed
Changes to existing law
Amends Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act (Public Law 114-293) (Sec. 2)
Adds new sections requiring TSA hygiene guidance for screening breast milk/formula items and a DHS Inspector General compliance audit.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- TSA must issue or update hygienic handling guidance
- TSA guidance updates thereafter, if appropriate
- DHS Inspector General must submit compliance audit report to Congress
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates S. 260 would have no significant effect on direct spending or revenues, with discretionary costs of less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, subject to appropriations.
CBO estimates that S. 260 would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, leaving the deficit unchanged over the 2025–2035 scoring window. The bill would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to issue or update guidance for screening breastmilk, baby formula, and related accessories at airport checkpoints, which CBO expects would not significantly affect the federal budget since TSA already regularly updates such guidance. A required audit by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is estimated to cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, subject to the availability of appropriated (discretionary) funds. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How it works
TSA must draft guidance in consultation with nationally recognized maternal health organizations, setting hygienic standards for handling breast milk, formula, and related cooling accessories during re-screening or additional screening, and update it every five years if needed. The guidance binds both TSA personnel and private security contractors screening under federal authority. Separately, the DHS Inspector General must audit compliance with these requirements within a year, examining screening technology effects and denial rates, and report findings to the House Homeland Security Committee and Senate Commerce Committee.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Became Public Law No: 119-41.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk for contamination of breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related products that are subject to re-screening or additional screening, including by ensuring adherence to hygienic standards. Related products include ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool breast milk, baby formula, and juice.
In addition, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements and submit a report to Congress.
Legislative subjects
Aviation and airports; Child health; Child safety and welfare; Congressional oversight; Government studies and investigations; Health technology, devices, supplies; Transportation and Public Works; Transportation safety and security
Committee report
S. Rept. 119-19